Master in Intercultural Communication

Utrecht University

Master in Intercultural Communication

Successful approach to linguistic and cultural diversity in international settings

The world is becoming ever ‘smaller’. Due to technological and economic developments, we are increasingly being brought into contact with different languages and cultures. Whether in multicultural societies, international organisations or online: communication has become an international, and, therefore, an intercultural, matter. In business, too, the importance of cultural parameters and mutual perceptions are rapidly increasing.

Practice-oriented research

The Intercultural Communication Master’s programme teaches you how to approach linguistic and cultural diversity in various, international, contexts. It is implementation-oriented, interdisciplinary, international and multilingual. After graduation, your skills as a multilingual and intercultural expert mean you will be ready to contribute to mutual understanding within Europe and to the good worldwide relationships that are so important in this age of globalisation.

Interdisciplinary

Over the course of a year, the Master’s will prepare you for an international profession. You will learn how to analyse communication products and processes present in the multilingual contexts of international organisations. By using an interdisciplinary method you will become experienced in communication from a linguistic, communicative, cultural, anthropological and management perspective.

Multilingual

Intercultural communication is a joint programme including expertise from German, English, French, Italian, Dutch and Spanish researchers and lecturers. Therefore you are free to choose your own study path: a language-specific programme which includes a high level of second/foreign language training in one of the languages mentioned before. (For further information: Tracks). Or you could opt for a non-language-specific, multilingual programme in which you will learn how to analyse communication processes within different languages and cultures. All tracks are open for international students that want to increase their intercultural and multilingual competencies in an international context. Do you already have a job? Improve your chances in the international communication sector We have seen a growing interest in the Intercultural Communication Master’s programme from communication professionals over the last few years. Whether you are looking to take a sabbatical from work or you are an independent professional looking to improve your chances in internationalisation, this Master’s offers you a number of possibilities. You can increase your employability and enrich your CV. You could also enrol in individual courses. We know that some companies and organisations are willing to help their employees pursue their studies, for instance by allowing them to attend lectures during working hours.

After Graduation

You will be able to analyse language, culture and communication in international and multilingual contexts.

You will be able to put communication theory into practice and successfully streamline communication processes.

You will have gained language and culture-specific competencies in German, English, French, Italian, Spanish or Dutch.

You will have acquired intercultural competencies such as the ability to change your perspective or to reflect on otherness, and how to adapt to a strange setting.

You will have experience in giving intercultural advice, cultural mediation and coaching, and intercultural marketing.

Job market

After you have successfully finished your studies you will be ready for various positions in which intercultural communication processes in an organisational and cultural context are key. You will be able to design and implement (practice-oriented) language and communication research. Or you could advise companies and organisations on communication processes for migrants and expats (communicative auditing).